Aidan

Tetrapleura tetraptera

spice

A large brown four-winged pod smelling of caramel and cinnamon, added whole to soups and stews.

Origin

West Africa (Ghana, Nigeria)

Season (United States)

all year round

Preparation

The pod, whole or broken into pieces, cooks with the dish and is removed before serving; it is not eaten.

Did you know?

In Ghana, it goes into the soup for new mothers; its scent is said to keep snakes away.